Prohibited Actions and Penalties
The official rules and penalties are the ones displayed on the official rulebook, the website may take longer to update
3.1 Prohibited actions:
The following actions and behaviors are prohibited. Disregard for the rules may result in penalization or expulsion from both individual tournament and the overall event.
3.1.1 Stalling - Stalling refers to any action by a competitor which slows or delays the conduct of a bout in order to gain an advantage or stop the clock. Examples include, but are not limited to delaying returning to the starting line when instructed by the referee, intentionally dropping the sword or falling down to stop the clock, intentionally stepping out of bounds, or feigning injury*. A competitor who intentionally steps out of bounds will receive the penalty for stalling in addition to the opponent receiving a point for the lane out. A competitor who feigns injury will be disqualified.
3.1.2 False Start - A false start occurs when a competitor moves from the starting line before the command of “Fence” is given by the referee. A single false start will receive a "halt' and reset. After the initial false start the fencer will be penalized.
3.1.3 Failure to halt* - Fencers must cease any and all attacks upon the first command of “Halt” from the referee. Continue to attack or advance toward the opponent with the intention to attack after halt will be penalized.
3.1.4 Influencing Referees - Fencers are strictly forbidden from making any indication, verbal or non-verbal, about the location or quality of a hit received from their opponent in order to influence the referee’s call. As a show of good sportsmanship, competitors are allowed to request the referee to not award them a point for a hit they didn’t believe they scored, the referee is allowed to disregard the fencer and award the point regardless. The decision is at the referees discretion.
3.1.5 Exposing the Back of the Head or Spine - Exposing the back of the head or the spine during the bout, whether intentional or unintentional is strictly forbidden.
3.1.6 Intentionally Striking the Back of the Head Striking the back of the head or the spine during the bout, whether by intention or carelessness, is strictly forbidden. The referee is expected to use their discretion in these instances, and may present the offending competitor with a yellow, red, or black card depending on the needs of the situation. In the event that a fencer has turned away and is struck in the back of the head, both fencers may receive a penalty at the referee’s discretion.
3.1.7 Equipment malfunction - An equipment malfunction is defined as a piece of equipment that is not working as intended, but is not broken or failed; For example, a competitors shin or elbow guard is loose and moves out of position requiring the bout to be halted for safety purposes until it is put back into its proper place. After the second occurrence of an equipment malfunction, the fencer will be give two minutes to fix or replace the item. After two minutes they will receive a yellow card and an additional two minutes to replace or fix the equipment, and present themselves at the lane ready to fence. If the fencer has not returned after two minutes, they will be issued a red card, and given an additional minute to return ready to fence. If they have not returned after the final minute, or are unable to find a suitable piece of equipment to replace their weapon, they will forfeit the match. Fencers are expected to have backup equipment at the ready and near the fencing lane to avoid delays.
3.1.8 Equipment Failure - Equipment failure occurs when a required piece of equipment breaks or is no longer safe to use; e.g. a broken blade or a crumpled mask. In the event of an equipment failure, the fencer will be given two minutes to replace their equipment. After two minutes they will receive a yellow card and an additional two minutes to replace the failed equipment, and present themselves at the lane ready to fence. If the fencer has not returned after two minutes, they will be issued a red card, and given an additional minute to return ready to fence. If they have not returned after the final minute, or are unable to find a suitable piece of equipment to replace their weapon, they will forfeit the match. Fencers are expected to have backup equipment at the ready and near the fencing lane to avoid delays.
3.1.9 Competitor not present for start of bout - At the start of the pool, or for any subsequent bout whether in the pool or in the elimination round, competitors must be present when called. The fencers name will be announced 3 times; fencers not present after the 3rd will be issued a red card for the start of the bout and have 2 minutes to report to the lane ready to fence. After 2 minutes, the competitor not present will forfeit the match. If they have not arrived by their second match they will be disqualified from the tournament.
3.1.10 Disrespectful Behavior* - Competitors are expected to remain professional and in control of their emotions at all times, and to be respectful to all competitors, staff, participants, spectators, and the venue. Disrespectful behavior includes the following (but not limited to):
Disrespectful Vocalization: Fencers are allowed to vocally show excitement or frustration, however taunting, swearing, excessive celebrating to attempt to deceive the referees, rude and disrespectful comments, gestures, or behaviors to staff or competitors etc. are disallowed.
Arguing with the Referee or staff: Competitors and coaches are allowed to ask the referee to clarify the exchange if they did not understand the call, or to dispute the enforcement of a rule if it has been incorrectly applied by the referee. While they are allowed to respectfully express their disagreement with a call, no arguing or disputing with the referee about a point of fact is allowed.
Loss of Temper: A fencer who loses control of their temper, yelling or screaming in anger at the referee, competitor, or anyone present, is throwing equipment in anger, or other such displays of a loss of emotional regulation, etc. will receive an immediate black card from the event.
3.1.10 Disruption of the Bout Comittee table* Competitors, coaches, spectators, etc. are explicitly prohibited from interacting in any way with the bout committee table during or between bouts. Anyone who disregards this rule may be ejected from the event.
3.1.11 Unjustified interruption of the bout* Any competitor, coach, spectator, etc. who interrupts, disrupts or halts a bout without justification will be penalized and may be ejected from the event, including competitors leaving the bout at an unauthorized time.
3.1.12 Distracting the fencers* Only referees, other officials, or the competitors designated coach are allowed to speak to the competitors during the bout; this includes shouting advice to competitors, or attempting to distract or confuse a fencer. Coaches are only allowed to shout advice to their own fencer.
3.1.13 Reckless behavior* Reckless and uncontrolled behavior is strictly prohibited. This includes (but is not limited to) strike the floor due to loss of control, running out of the lane and into spectator areas or other fencing strips, shoving the opponent out of the lane, throwing the weapon, off-balancing oneself by running or leaping to attack, purposefully falling to attack, etc.
3.1.14 Intentionally Striking at Unauthorized Times * If a competitor intentionally attempts to hit an opponent when the bout is not in progress then the fencer will be disqualified; e.g. After “Halt” is called and the fencing has stopped, a fencer strikes the other fencer out of anger, malice, or for any other reason.
3.1.15 Use of prohibited techniques* Use of prohibited techniques will result in serious penalty and/or disqualification. This category includes but is not limited to punches, kicks, joint manipulation or breaks, pain compliance, chokes, throws, sweeps, trips, holding the weapon by the blade and striking with the cross guard and hilt etc.
3.1.16 Brutality * Competitors who strike or fence intentionally to cause injury, or who cause injury due to reckless behavior or excessive force, will be disqualified. Due to the nature of the activity, injuries can and will happen, and a competitor will not necessarily be penalized for an injury to the opponent, unless the injury occurred due to negligence or use of brutality, a prohibited technique, reckless behavior, etc.
Examples of brutality include: drawing the fist back to punch (i.e. a “haymaker”), purposely jabbing with a thrust, using the weapon or pommel or buckler to repeatedly strike the opponent, coiling up before striking a defenseless opponent, striking an opponent who has fallen, defenseless, or unarmed, use of unnecessary levels of force, forceful corps-a-corps contact etc.
3.1.17 Cheating Any participant found to be cheating will be disqualified and ejected from the tournament and event, and may be subject to a ban from future events. Cheating includes but is not limited to: intentionally using disallowed equipment, removing required equipment after gear check, attempting to alter scoresheets, attempting to influence or coerce referees, etc.
3.1.18 Drug/Alcohol use Competitors may not compete within 6 hours of using alcohol or any other prescription or nonprescription drug that may slow or impair actions.
3.1.19 Disputes/Appeals If a competitor feels that a rule has been unfairly or incorrectly applied, an appeal may be made to the bout committee and head referee. No decision on a question of fact can be the subject of an appeal. All black cards/disqualifications will be automatically reviewed by the Bout Committee.
3.1.20 Misc.: Any incident not explicitly outlined in the rules will be adjudicated at the discretion of the referee and/or bout committee. Rules for penalties apply for fencers, coaches, and spectators. In certain cases non-competitor penalties may be applied to the associated fencer; (i.e. a fencer is penalized or disqualified due to the actions of their coach).
Penalties are divided into 3 categories: Yellow Cards, Red Cards, and Black Cards.
